Viral gastroenteritis

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Digestive system

Digestive system organs

Rotavirus infection; Norwalk virus; Gastroenteritis - viral; Stomach flu 

Most infectious organisms are transmitted by unwashed hands. The best way to prevent viral gastroenteritis is to handle food properly and wash hands thoroughly after using the toilet.

RotaTeq is a vaccine used to prevent rotavirus-related gastroenteritis in infants. However, a serious intestinal problem called intussusception has been reported in a small number of infants who received this vaccine. Immediately call your doctor if your child received this vaccine and has stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, blood in the stool, or a change in bowel movements.

US Food and Drug Administration. FDA Approves New Vaccine to Prevent Rotavirus Gastroenteritis in Infants, Rockville, MD: National Press Office; February 3, 2006. Press Release P06-16.

Dennehy PH. Acute diarrheal disease in children: epidemiology, prevention, and treatment. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2005; 19(3): 585-602.

Jabbar A. Gastroenteritis and antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Prim Care. 2003; 30(1): 63-80, vi.

Review Date: 02/14/2007
Reviewed By: Alan Greene, MD, FAAP, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital; Chief Medical Officer, A.D.A.M., Inc.